Thank A Greenkeeper Day 2024 is coming on
Tuesday 10 September
Show your support on social media using #ThankAGreenkeeper
Video produced with the support of Husqvarna UK
No matter where you play golf, greenkeepers play an essential role in delivering great conditions so that you can enjoy your time out on the course.
From early mornings to late nights, course managers and head greenkeepers lead teams of professionals dedicated to ensuring their golf course is the best it can be.
But their role goes well beyond the playing surface and greenkeepers work every day to ensure the sustainability of golf for future generations, while improving communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf.
Utilising the hashtags #ThankAGreenkeeper (in the UK) and #ThankASuper (elsewhere), this dedicated day of thanks is a social media movement seen by millions of people across the globe and has a real impact on the working lives of golf course professionals. Gestures of support boost morale, increase job satisfaction and foster a culture of mutual respect.
Just a really quick message for all the greenkeepers out there - a massive, massive thank you. You make the game that I love enjoyable to play, so thank you for all your hard work and all those early mornings.
During Thank A Greenkeeper Day 2023, social media messages reached more than 14.7 million followers around the world, while broadcast media reached an additional 18 million people. In the UK alone there were more than 4,500 social media posts, an increase of nearly 30% over 2022.
But it's also about making a real difference to the golfing community. So if you can, ask what your golf club is doing to show the greenkeeping team how much you appreciate their hard work.
As we approach Thank A Greenkeeper Day on Tuesday 10 September 2024, BIGGA will be working alongside our colleagues at superintendents' and course managers' associations across the world to make the day a success, so keep an eye out for tips and ideas to make this year the best yet.
A social media toolkit will soon be available with materials to aid in the celebration and we'll be sharing that at the start of August, so make sure you're on our list of contacts by sending us an email.
Thank A Greenkeeper Day happens just once a year, but it takes a year-round effort to keep golf courses playable and in top notch condition. So don't be afraid to say thanks to your greenkeepers at any time and make sure to share your experiences with us on social media by mentioning BIGGA and using the hashtag #ThankAGreenkeeper
"Sadly, the golf club culture can be a difficult one. Very often it is easier to criticise the course you play every day, rather than see the 12-month journey that a course has to go through to stay playable."
2010 US Open Champion
"When you have 700 members you cannot please everyone. Here at Long Ashton we have five or six on the greenkeeping staff - some 18-hole courses have to manage with even less!"
Four-time European Tour winner
I just want to say a special thank you to all the greenkeepers, especially those helping us at The Open championship, raking bunkers. My wife is especially grateful to the chap who went round with us as I gave him a lot of work!
Former world number one
On the eve of The 150th Open I just want to extend a massive thank you to all the greenkeepers, maintenance crew, who have come from across the world to be here this week and share in this experience. I'm grateful, I appreciate your hard work and it doesn't go unnoticed.
2015 Open Champion
"May I send my thanks to all the greenkeepers who do such a great job on golf courses all around the world. Thank you."
Chief executive, The R&A
Working in collaboration with
Australian Sports Turf Managers Association
The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) was formed in 1981 and represents over 1,800 members as the peak industry body for sports turf management in Australia. A not-for-profit incorporated association, ASTMA represents professional sports turf managers across golf courses, sportsfields and grounds, racetracks, lawn tennis, council recreation reserves, turf equipment technicians and related fields.
With a commitment to improving the knowledge, welfare and professional standards of its members in maintaining quality turf playing surfaces at sport and recreation facilities, the association supports the industry as a Registered Training Organisation, delivering nationally recognised trade qualifications in sports turf management throughout Australia.
British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association
The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association is Europe's largest membership organisation for golf greenkeepers. Today BIGGA has around 5,800 greenkeepers and turf professionals as members.
BIGGA is dedicated to the continuing professional development of its members, and in serving their needs will strive through education and training for standards of excellence in golf course management throughout the greenkeeping profession.
BIGGA hosts the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) and associated Continue to Learn education programme each January.
Canadian Golf Course Superintendents Association
Federation of European Golf Greenkeeper Associations
The Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations is an umbrella organisation for greenkeeping associations in Europe and beyond, with 26 national associations as members. FEGGA hosts an annual conference that typically has a theme based on the current trends and issues facing the world of greenkeeping. FEGGA also has a successful scholarship programme for students, offering a mixture of practical and theoretical education and hosted by Kristianstads GK in southern Sweden.
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organisation in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the US and worldwide.
From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas, the association provides education, information and representation to 20,000 members in more than 78 countries.
The association's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org